I’m working on my 1st PC build, with very limited technical knowledge.The case that I’m strongly considering buying is the Fractal R4. The minimalistic look of the case really appealed to me. However, I want to make sure that I don’t overlook a case that may fit my needs. Noise, Cooling, and functionality are important to me. Also, it must have USB 3.0 ports in front. I am not looking for a case with a glass panel or a lot of lights.

1) Is there a case that has a better internal configuration than the Fractal R4?

2) Regarding the Fractal R4, does the side acrylic window panel add to the noise level?

3) OT: Any recommendation on which Noctua fans to purchase, if I do decide on the R4?

1) Is there a case that has a better internal configuration than the Fractal R4?

Although its a fine choice, also consider Antec Solo II, Corsair 550D, both are not too flashy either, but i would probably go with R4 its a great case.

majax79 wrote:

2) Regarding the Fractal R4, does the side acrylic window panel add to the noise level?

This is hard to say.... SPCR hasnt reviewed one yet. My guess is the none windowed should be a little better. But i doubt the difference is huge, as long as you chose good components, this is more if you desire window or not.

majax79 wrote:

3) OT: Any recommendation on which Noctua fans to purchase, if I do decide on the R4?

I would suggest against 7200rpm drives, specially since you are already going with SSD for your OS/apps/Games. WD Red 2 TB NAS Hard Drive: 3.5 Inch, SATA III, 64 MB Cache - WD20EFRX its a nice storage quiet hdd. If still want 7200rpm drives i would change the case toward Antec Solo II because of the HDD suspension mechanism. On the Crucial M4... i have nothing but good things to say about it, no issues with 256gb and 64gb, but unless you get a huge price discount or get it in clearance, i think there are better options, as M500 was just released this week, for the money i would go with Samsung 840 250gb.

I think the 212 is a really nice cooler for the money, but personally i dont like the fan, and if you go for another fan, might aswell go for Thermalright HR-02 Macho, this new iteration has a black/white fan that should match really nice the R4 scheme.

When I was in the market for a new case last summer I considered the 550d until I saw it in person at Micro Center. The aluminum looking i/o strip was dull and not shiny. Though in fairness it was in a dusty store. I was moving from the classic Antec P180 and was really tired of the front ports as I am using USB flash drives more and more. I had it on the floor under my desk. IMO, the top ports of the R4 are better. If on a desk, the 550d front ports may be a better location. I wasn't overly impressed with the build quality as it seemed more plastic was used. The 550d weighs 16.5 pounds and the R4 weighs 27 pounds.

What really turned me off was four 5.25" bays. I prefer just the two on the R4. I did install one optical drive as I occasionally use it, but 4 seemed like overkill.

Lastly, I really like the R4 different configurations of the drive cages. http://www.fractal-design.com/img_prod/ ... er-hdd.jpgI removed both of mine. I have two stacked 2.5" dives on the floor of the case. I took one drive tray and removed the rails and then secured it with Velcro. My motherboard has eSATA so I just use a drive dock for my 3.5" and 2.5" drives.

I didn't think the fan controller was a big deal until I had it. Runs @ 5, 7 and 12 volts. I hate the stupid molex connector the controller uses. Since I ran a cable all the way up to the optical drive, I just got a molex to SATA adapter and avoided running a separate molex cable altogether.

I agree with Abula about the Fractal fans. I use the two included fans in the front and a Corsair AF140 Quiet Edition for exhaust. I built mine for quiet, not silence. If it wasn't for my EVGA 560 Ti FPB it would be pretty silent. I use the HR-02 Macho btw.

Edit: The OP already purchased 95% of his/her components. Unless they can be returned. If not, I'd suggest changing out the 212 or at least the fan.

Just a tip for the case fans. From my experience with a similar setup it will be just fine to settle for using the single rear exhaust together with one or two intakes in the front. The two included fans proved to be perfectly usable as intakes at 5V using the built-in controller. No ticking and they run slow enough not be pretty quiet.

I didn't think the fan controller was a big deal until I had it. Runs @ 5, 7 and 12 volts. I hate the stupid molex connector the controller uses. Since I ran a cable all the way up to the optical drive, I just got a molex to SATA adapter and avoided running a separate molex cable altogether.

I haven't learned about that yet. I figure it's going to take me quite a lot of reading/watching YouTube vids as I install each item.

Quote:

I agree with Abula about the Fractal fans. I use the two included fans in the front and a Corsair AF140 Quiet Edition for exhaust. I built mine for quiet, not silence. If it wasn't for my EVGA 560 Ti FPB it would be pretty silent. I use the HR-02 Macho btw.

Edit: The OP already purchased 95% of his/her components. Unless they can be returned. If not, I'd suggest changing out the 212 or at least the fan.

Did you make the fan in the back an exhaust? Also, do you leave the top vents closed?

I was going to buy the PSU next and then the fans would be last as I figure I'll have to do another round of forum post. Based on what I've read lately I do see that the Noctua are highly recommended as well as the Gentle Typhoon series. It does suck that the Noctua fan's color are brown? I wonder who thought of that.

Regarding the 212 EVO, It's past it's return period and I figured that I'm not going to overclock for a while, if at all, so it should be fine for my needs. I absolutely intend to replace the stock fan though. It seems that I need a 120MM fan for the Hyper 212 EVO but there also seems to be fans that are 140mm which have 120mm connector holes? I'm too tired to do further research on that, lol.

Did you make the fan in the back an exhaust? Also, do you leave the top vents closed?

Yes, the third fan is for exhaust. It ships with one intake in the front and an exhaust one in the back. I use both of the supplied fans in the front for intake. I do keep the top and sides closed. It's quieter.

Did you make the fan in the back an exhaust? Also, do you leave the top vents closed?

Yes, the third fan is for exhaust. It ships with one intake in the front and an exhaust one in the back. I use both of the supplied fans in the front for intake. I do keep the top and sides closed. It's quieter.

It's just an older power connector that was used before SATA replaced it. It is the vernacular for the company that made them and became synonymous with the 4-pin connector.

It supplied power to everything. The adapter just enables it to use the newer SATA connection. Once you have your power supply it may make more sense. All the power supplies back then delivered power to devices using molex. You'd hookup a hard drive for example with an IDE cable to the drive on one end and attach the other end to the motherboard (same ith SATA). Next to it was the molex connector from the power supply.

On the R4, molex is still being used for the fan controller. Your power supply may include one molex cable.. Mine did. The DVD drive bay is all the way at the top as is the fan connector My DVD is SATA. By using a molex to SATA adapter I eliminated running another cable all the way up with molex to hookup the power to the fan controller. They are much wider and bulkier too.

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